Hairy-legged Vampire Bat, Diphylla ecaudata

The hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata) can be found in tropical and subtropical forests in South America. It is one of only three species of bats that feed on blood, and is the only species in the genus Diphylla. There are two recognized subspecies of this bat.

The hairy-legged vampire bat is known to roost in caves. Often times, it will roost in caves that hold another type of vampire bat called the common vampire bat. It does not form groups, however, and the largest amount of hairy-legged vampire bats found in one cave was thirty-five.

It will rest during the day, coming out at night to look for food. Its echolocation skills are poor, but it has good vision. It will share food by using mouth-to-mouth regurgitation. These bats prefer to drink the blood of birds, instead of other mammals. The hairy-legged vampire bat can carry rabies.